Slotwall board system

ABSTRACT

A slotwall board system comprising a panel having front and rear planar surfaces and opposing edges at least two elongate members, each elongate member being adjacently mounted at an interval height on a surface and including a base portion having opposing channels and each opposing channel having an open end, the open end being adapted for the insertion of the opposing edges of a panel into the opposing channels of adjacent elongate members and a wall attachment portion having a series of apertures adapted to receive a fastener for attaching the elongate member to the surface.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Design Pat. Application 29/267,249 filed on Oct. 10, 2006 entitled Slotwall Board System, the entire contents of which are hereby fully incorporated herein.

STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

This invention relates generally to a slotwall board system for storage or the display or merchandise and more particularly to a slotwall board system that includes a number of extrusions adapted to engage slotwall panels and other display hardware, such as mounting brackets and hooks for holding and displaying merchandise or objects, and provide a versatile organization system.

One of the most versatile presentation systems that is utilized by many retailers and merchandisers is a slotwall board system. Such a slotwall board system can include at least one of a number of types of boards, including peg board, wood or laminate panels, shelving, hooks or other types of hangers. Slotwall board systems are primarily utilized for the display of merchandise in a department store, a convenience store or any other retail setting where sales of the merchant may be directly affected by the customer having an immediate view of the merchandise that is being marketed to them. Accordingly, a properly structured merchandise display can be effective in increasing customer awareness and piquing customer interest with regard to the products that are featured. Additionally, slotwall board systems are often found in personal, noncommercial settings, such as in the garage or the basement of a house. For example, the slotwall system may be utilized in a house to provide a solution to a lack of storage or to efficiently store frequently used articles, such as tools, cords or cleaning supplies. Further slotwall board systems may be utilized by service providers, such as mechanics, plumbers or electricians to keep tools or other equipment properly stored while providing easy access to the same.

A variety of systems exist and are utilized in connection with the display or storage of merchandise or other objects. For example, one of the most common types of display systems contains a number of panels that are mounted onto a wall or other structure, with the wall providing the strength to support the panels and the associated objects. The panels further contain a number of holes typically spaced substantially evenly apart into which pegs or hooks can be releasably inserted. Mounting brackets that are adapted to hold and secure a shelf to the wall may also be releasably inserted into the evenly spaced holes. Merchandise can be displayed either by suspending it from one of the pegs or placing it on a shelf in an orientation appropriate for the maximization of customer visualization and interest.

Generally, only small and lightweight merchandise is appropriate for such display systems. The hooks and shelves that are part of the display system previously described typically receive very little additional support. As a result, the heavier objects placed on the display system may cause hooks to bend and shelves to loosen and perhaps fall. Thus, not all merchandise is appropriate for such display systems based on size and weight restrictions.

Therefore, as display systems have evolved to include slotwall board systems, certain improvements have been made over the years to provide greater support for the display of heavier objects. One such improvement is a trough or slot that is cut or formed into each panel into which the mounting hardware, such as the hooks and brackets, can be inserted or supported. The slots are generally cut into the panels using conventional routing techniques, and the slots are usually either T-shaped or L-shaped. The slots may also be inclined approximately forty-five degrees downwardly from the face of the board. However, the formation of the slots in the panels typically leaves thin, weak panel portions that surround the slots. Thus, the further imposition of a heavy load on the hardware that is associated with the slot will almost inevitably cause the panel to further weaken causing possible fracture or destruction.

Another improvement to slotwall board systems is a metal insert which is slidably inserted into the formed slot of the panel to provide additional structural support to any shelves or mounting hardware that is placed in connection with the slots. The metal inserts provide strength to accommodate the weight of the displayed merchandise. The metal insert is generally conformed to the shape of the slot. However, the metal inserts still do not provide adequate support for heavy objects because the majority of the weight of the objects continues to be supported by the panels.

Many of the currently available slotwall board systems suffer from other limitations in addition to the lack of structural support for heavy weight. As discussed, the secure display or storage of objects is probably the most important function of a slotwall board system. Therefore, slotwall board systems are not designed to provide the most attractive or variable backgrounds for the display of merchandise. In fact, most slotwall board systems located in retail settings are intended to be plain because of the variety of merchandise that can be displayed at any time, which may further comprise an unlimited number of colors and patterns. Accordingly, certain backgrounds may not always be appropriate. A busy or contrasting and clashing background may actually discourage a potential customer from perusing the available merchandise and making a purchase. Also, with regard to retail settings, the desired background color may vary depending on the time of year or the particular merchandise that is featured. Many available slotwall board systems do not provide for variety because the components of such systems are usually installed to be fairly secure and thus not easily interchangeable.

Thus, it is often suggested that retailers utilize aesthetic features other than color, such as vertical wall dividers, to break up slotwall displays into more manageable components for both the retailer and the customer. For example, a consumer tends to lose interest in a slotwall board system having a shelf that extends along the length of the store. A retailer may find it easier to arrange items on a smaller section of slotwall However, the slotwall system still suffers from the same lack of variety.

Further, slotwall board systems are often included as part of the interior design of a building structure during its construction, and the assembly of the slotwall board system is usually completed toward the end of construction. The slotwall board system is constructed from an unlimited number of components including boards, inserts and the support hardware. Although a slotwall board system must be assembled quickly, it must be assembled properly. If one component of the slotwall board system is not level, the system will not provide proper and secure storage and/or display of the intended items. Further, the entire slotwall board system must be disassembled until the non-level component is located and its orientation can be corrected. Also, the process to add variety to the slotwall board system at a later time can be very cumbersome because of the number of components and the effort required to ensure that each component is secure and level.

What is lacking in the art is a slotwall board system that provides support and stability for almost any type of merchandise or object having any size or weight and the versatility to be easily conformed to the preference of the user with regard to appearance or structure.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A slotwall board system is disclosed comprising a panel having front and rear planar surfaces and opposing edges; at least two elongate members, each elongate member being adjacently mounted at an interval height on a surface and including a base portion having opposing channels and each opposing channel having an open end, the open ends being adapted for the insertion of the opposing edges of a panel into the opposing channels of adjacent elongate members, and a wall attachment portion having a series of apertures adapted to receive a fastener for attaching the elongate member to the surface. The slotwall board system may be mounted on a wall or other building surface or the slotwall board system may be mounted on a nonplanar surface such as a pillar. The slotwall board system may further be mounted on a support frame having a stand alone configuration. A stand alone configuration may further comprise wheels affixed to a bottom surface of the slotwall board system. A variety of panels may be received and retained by the elongate members including panels constructed from wood, laminate, metal, fiberboard and particleboard. The elongate members may be constructed from any type of material including metal, such as aluminum and steel, and plastic.

The body portion of the extrusion may comprise a base segment having first and second rear channel walls extending toward one another from upper and lower walls, respectively. The body portion may further comprise a first and second base channel walls extending forwardly from the first and second rear channel walls in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular thereto and finally, first and second front channel walls that extend from the first and second base channel walls in a direction opposite from each other and parallel to the firsts and second rear channel walls. The first rear channel wall, the first base channel wall and the first front channel wall form a first channel having an upright U-shape and the second rear channel wall, the second base channel wall and the second front channel wall form a second channel having an upside down U-shape. The base segment, the upper and lower walls and the first and second rear channel walls define a generally T-shaped area into which a variety of types of mounting hardware may be suspended including without limitation, groove wall hardware and traditional slotwall hardware, each of which may include pegs, mounting brackets and other types of hangers.

The elongate member may be adapted to receive a level device. The base portion of the elongate member may comprise a radius configured for the placement of a level device so that the proper orientation of the elongate member may be determined when the elongate member is mounted to a surface. The level device may be any type of device that indicates a level orientation, such as a bubble device.

The slotwall board system may further comprise an end bracket and a trim channel. An end bracket may be vertically affixed along the termination of the horizontal length of the elongate members, such as along a corner of a wall. A trim channel may be affixed to the slotwall board system along a top or bottom edge. The trim channel may be configured to receive a level device. The trim channel may be further configured to receive mounting hardware, such as hangers and brackets. The end bracket and the trim channel may be affixed to the slotwall board system using any conventional method of attachment, such as nails, staples, screws, double sided adhesive and tape.

A method of constructing a slotwall board system is disclosed comprising the steps of mounting at least two elongate members to a surface at interval heights on a surface, wherein the configuration of each elongate member defines a base portion having a base segment and opposing channels, the base segment being spaced from the opposing channel to permit the insertion of mounting hardware into an area defined by the base segment and the opposing channels and the opposing channels being adapted for the insertion of a panel; inserting a panel into the opposing channels; and inserting mounting hardware into the area defined by the base segment and the opposing channels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a slotwall board system having a plurality of extrusions mounted on a support frame and a variety of slotwall boards and mounting hardware, such as hangers and hooks, to facilitate the display or storage of merchandise.

FIG. 1A is a cross sectional view along the 1A-1A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of one embodiment of an extrusion according to an aspect of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of a trim channel that may be used along the top or bottom edge of the slotwall board system.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the line 6-6 of FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention, and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different embodiments and that they are also intended to be encompassed within the scope of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, and initially to FIG. 1 thereof, the reference numeral 20 designates one embodiment of a slotwall board system 20 used for the display of merchandise, such as in a retail setting, or the visible placement and storage of frequently used items, such as in the case of a provider of commercial services or in a personal setting, including the garage or basement of a house. The slotwall board system 20 provides for the stable and versatile display of objects placed thereon. The components of the slotwall board system 20 may be arranged and rearranged with ease, as the slotwall board system 20 may further be readily modified to conform to or complement the environment into which it is placed with regard to background color changes, special promotions and remodeling. The slotwall board system 20 generally consists of two or more extrusions 30 mounted onto a support frame 25. The slotwall board system 20 further includes panels, generally designated by the number 40 in FIG. 1, which are slidably insertable within channels defined by the configuration of the extrusion, as further described with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. The appearance of the slotwall board system 20 may be easily altered by replacing existing panels 40 with other panels 40 having the desired appearance or by adding mounting hardware.

FIG. 1 represents an embodiment of a slotwall board system 20 that can be characterized as a stand-alone system and comprises a number of extrusions 30 mounted on a support frame 25. Although the support frame 25 shown in FIG. 1 is a separate standalone support frame 25, the extrusions 30 may also be mounted on a wall or other surface of a building or other permanent structure, making the slotwall board system 20 integral with the building. Specifically, the slotwall board system 20 may be utilized to cover a framed wall, such as in a garage. The slotwall board system 20 may also be used to cover a pillar or other nonplanar surface.

Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the slotwall board system 20 includes a support frame 25. The support frame 25 may be constructed from any suitable material that can provide the support necessary to impart stability to the slotwall board system 20. In the case of a stand-alone slotwall board system 20, the support frame 25 may be constructed from a material such as wood or metal. If the slotwall board system 20 is mounted onto an existing wall of a building or other similar structure, the studs inside the wall should be located, if possible, to ensure that the slotwall board system 20 can provide the proper support for the weight of the objects placed thereon.

It may be desirable in the case of a retailer, or if the slotwall board system 20 is utilized for personal use, to move the slotwall board system 20 to a different location where its use may be better suited, or more needed. Similarly, if the slotwall board system 20 is used in a setting where commercial services are being provided, such as in the case of a mechanic or other type of repair workshop, the slotwall board system 20 may provide both storage and easy access to tools that may be utilized by more than one mechanic. In any such situation, the slotwall board system 20 may provide either temporary placement or permanent storage for heavy and/or cumbersome objects which would make relocation of the slotwall board system 20 unfeasible. Thus, a stand-alone embodiment of a slotwall board system 20 may further include wheels 35 so that the slotwall board system 20 can be easily moved from one location to another location. Any number of wheels 35 may be included and placed at any location along the bottom of the frame of the slotwall board system 20, such that the wheels 35 are in contact with a surface on which the slotwall board system 20 is placed and along which it can be moved.

The slotwall board system 20 further includes a number of extrusions 30, as further shown and described in detail with respect to FIGS. 3 and 4. Each extrusion 30 is preferably attached to the support frame 25 by affixing the same using any form of conventional attachment, including without limitation nails, screws, double-sided adhesive or tape and staples. Each subsequent extrusion 30 is mounted to the support frame 25 at an interval height appropriate to facilitate the slidable insertion of the top and bottom edges of a panel 40 into opposing channels of adjacent extrusions 30.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, a variety of panels, generally designated by the number 40, may be inserted into the channels defined by the configuration of the extrusion, as further described with respect to FIG. 2. An exemplary panel 40 has a front and rear planar surface. A panel 40 may have any dimension and may comprise any configuration that is square, horizontally elongated, vertically elongated or any other configuration that is generally rectangular. It is contemplated that a panel 40 may also have an abstract configuration that is neither square nor rectangular, and the slotwall board system 20 can be easily adapted to fit such panels 40. Preferably, each panel has a thickness that is approximately 0.125 inches, although the dimension of the panel thickness may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention. Each panel 40 may be constructed of a material that can provide the desired properties, whether such properties are functional or aesthetic or a combination of both. One exemplary panel may include pegboard 43, as shown in FIG. 1, which is a type of board having evenly spaced holes into which a mounting hook or other mounting brackets may be releasable inserted. As previously described, merchandise or other objects, such as tools or supplies, may be displayed or stored by placing the same on the mounting hook or on a shelf supported by mounting brackets.

Other exemplary panels that may be included primarily for aesthetic purposes include a wooden panel 42, a laminate panel 44 and a metal panel 41. A wood panel 42 may be constructed from any type of wood, and the user may elect the type of wood based on preference and general décor. A laminate panel 44 may comprise any type of material that is configured into the desired panel shape and has a plastic laminate or melamine adhered to a front surface to provide a visually attractive finish. The color of the laminate may be selected based on the desired visual effect, such as matching, contrasting or complementary colors between the other panels of the slotwall board system 20 and the background of the setting in which the slotwall board system 20 is located. The laminate may further be adhered to a wooden panel or other types of panels such as those constructed from particle board or fiberboard. A metal panel 41 that is constructed from a metal, such as aluminum or steel, may also be utilized in connection with the slotwall board system 20. It should be noted that the user may also customize the panels according to preference. Specifically, a user may apply paint or other coloring, such as in the form of an adhesive, to a wood panel 42. Also, plain particle board or fiberboard may be provided that the user can similarly color customize to the desired color. Similarly, the user may apply a color adhesive to a panel 40 in the form of lines, stripes or other patterns to produce a geometric-like effect.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the extrusion 30 may be attached to a support frame 25. To attach the extrusion 30 to a support frame 25, the wall attachment portion 55 of the extrusion 30 includes a series of fastener apertures 60 in a spaced relationship along the same. The fastener apertures 60 are adapted to receive a fastener 75, a shaft portion 65 thereof being driven into the support frame 25 and a head portion 70 being in abutment with the wall attachment portion 55, thereby retaining the extrusion 30 against the support frame 25. As will be appreciated, the diameter of the fastener apertures 60 are intended to be less than that of the head portion 70 of the fastener 75. If the user of the slotwall board system 20 wishes to use different sized panels 40 with previously mounted extrusions 30, the user may remove the fasteners 75 and the extrusions 30 from the support frame 25 and reposition the same to accommodate the different sized panels 40.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the extrusion 30 preferably comprises an integrally formed elongate member having a length that is customized according to user preference. The extrusion 30 is defined by a body portion 50 and a wall attachment portion 55, the body portion 50 and the wall attachment portion 55 being integrally formed and of unitary construction. Alternatively, the body portion 50 and the wall attachment portion 55 may comprise two separate pieces that may be connectably joined together, such as by welding. Although a typical length of the extrusion 30 may include lengths such as four feet or eight feet, it should be noted that the extrusion 30 can be cut to fit and size using tools common to the installation of the slotwall board system 20. The extrusion 30 may be constructed from aluminum or steel, although any suitable material may be selected that is appropriate for the location of the slotwall board system 20. Thus, the extrusion 30 may be constructed of a material that is flexible to enough to permit the slotwall board system to be installed on a wall having a radius, such as a pillar, yet rigid enough to resist deformation and breakage. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize the advantages and disadvantages of the available materials in a given environment. Thus, such a person will be able to identify and select the appropriate material for a particular application and appreciate that the present invention is not limited to any particular material.

Referring to FIG. 4, the body portion 50 of the extrusion 30 comprises a base segment 80 having an upper wall 90 and a lower wall 85 extending forwardly therefrom in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular to the base segment 80. The upper wall 90 further comprises a radius 150 along its length onto which a bubble level or other leveling device 160 may be placed, as shown in FIG. 2, to indicate the accurate orientation of the extrusion 30. One exemplary leveling device 160 is a transparent plastic tube-like housing holding two different types of fluids, such as oil and water or a mix of air and fluid. The two fluids are generally immiscible fluids which allow the device 160 to be used as a level which operates when the line between the fluids aligns with an etched or otherwise marked line upon the surface of the transparent plastic tube.

The body portion 50 further comprises first and second rear channel walls 95, 95′ extending toward one another from upper and lower walls 90 and 85, respectively. The body portion 50 further comprises a first and second base channel walls 100, 100′ extending forwardly from the first and second rear channel walls 95, 95′ in an orientation that is substantially perpendicular thereto and finally, first and second front channel walls 105, 105′ that extend from the first and second base channel walls 100, 100′ in a direction opposite from each other and parallel to the firsts and second rear channel walls 95, 95′. The first rear channel wall 95, the first base channel wall 100 and the first front channel wall 105 form a first channel 110 having an upright U-shape and the second rear channel wall 95′, the second base channel wall 100′ and the second front channel wall 105′ form a second channel 110′ having an upside down U-shape. The first and second channels 110, 110′ are configured to removably receive and retain a variety of panels 40. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the base segment 80, the upper and lower walls 90, 85 and the first and second rear channel walls 95, 95′ define a generally T-shaped area 165 into which a variety of types of mounting hardware 155 may be suspended including without limitation, groove wall hardware and traditional slotwall hardware, each of which may include pegs, mounting brackets and other types of hangers.

Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 1A, the slotwall board system 20 may further include other components such as an end bracket 125. An end bracket 125 is generally L-shaped to define an elongated, flat portion having an elongated, wing portion that is generally at a right angle to the flat portion. The end bracket 125 may be vertically affixed to the slotwall board system 20 at the termination of the horizontal length of the extrusions 30 using any conventional methods of attachment, including without limitation, double sided adhesive, tape, nails, staples and screws. As shown in FIG. 1A, the end bracket 125 may be attached to the support frame 25.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, the slotwall board system may further include a trim channel 130 that may be affixed along either the top or the bottom edge of the slotwall board system 20. A cross-section of an exemplary trim channel 130 is shown in FIG. 6 and is defined by a base wall 170 and three ribs 175, 175′ and 175″ that extend upwardly from the base wall. A first rib 170 extends to a height above the second and third ribs 175′, 175″ and the first rib 170 has a protruding lip at approximately the height of and facing the second rib 175′. Similarly, the second rib 175′ has a protruding lip along its top edge. The protruding lips of both the first rib 175 and the second rib 175′ form a cradle for the placement of a leveling device 160, such as a bubble level, to provide an indication of the orientation of the trim channel 130. Mounting hardware, such as brackets and hangers, may be releasably inserted into the area defined by the second rib 175′, the base wall 170 and the third rib 175″. The trim channel 130 may be affixed to the slotwall board system 20 at its top or bottom edge using any conventional methods of attachment, including without limitation, double sided adhesive, tape, nails, staples and screws. As shown in FIG. 6, the trim channel 130 may be provided with a recess 180 on a rear surface of the first rib 170 into which double sided adhesive may be placed and the trim channel 130 may be attached to the support frame 25 by placing the double sided adhesive in contact therewith.

Next, a method of assembling the slotwall board system 20 is described. First, the extrusions 30 should be cut to size based on the area that is to be covered by the slotwall board system 20. For example, an exemplary slotwall board system 20 may be intended to cover a wall that is four feet in height by eight feet in length. Thus, the extrusions 30 should be cut to the desired length to appropriately fit the dimensions of the area. Next, the panel dimensions should be determined and the panels 40 should be cut to the desired length. As previously stated, the various panels 40 included in the slotwall board system 20 may have different dimensions. For example, certain panels 40 may have a greater height than other panels 40. The user should determine the dimensional requirements of the panels based on the area to be covered. Next, the extrusions 30 are mounted onto a support frame 25, which may be a stand alone support frame 25 or the extrusions 30 may be mounted onto a wall or other surface of a building structure. The extrusions 30 are mounted to the support frame 25 using conventional hardware, including without limitation, screws, nails, staples and other similar fasteners. The panel dimensions should be considered when the extrusions 30 are mounted onto the support frame 25, as the extrusions 30 may or may not be mounted onto the support frame 25 at evenly spaced intervals. Next, the top edge and the bottom edge of each panel 40 are slidably inserted into the opposing channels 110, 110′ of adjacent extrusions 30. Finally, additional mounting hardware, such as brackets and hooks are, inserted the T-shaped areas 165 of the extrusions 30, as desired. The slotwall board system 20 may also incorporate wall dividers to divide the length of the panels into more aesthetically pleasing segments. The wall dividers may be attached to the slotwall board system 20 using conventional forms of attachment, including nails, screws, fasteners, double sided adhesive and tape.

The extrusions of the slotwall display system 20 bear a substantial portion of the weight of the objects stored or displayed on the slotwall board system 20 which reduces the possibility of failure of the slotwall board system. Thus, the load carrying capabilities and the safety of the slotwall board system 20 are greatly improved.

It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the particular slotwall board system, including the extrusions, the mounting hardware and the panels, is presented by way of example only and not of limitation. Such a person will be able to readily derive additional accessories, including without limitation, different configurations and types of panels and mounting hardware, which are suitable for use with the slotwall board system. Any such accessories are therefore deemed to be within the scope of the invention. The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of an illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present invention only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present invention. 

1. A slotwall board system comprising: a panel having front and rear planar surfaces and opposing edges; at least two elongate members, each elongate member being adjacently mounted at an interval height on a surface and including: a base portion having opposing channels and each opposing channel having an open end, the open ends being adapted for the insertion of the opposing edges of the panel into the opposing channels of adjacently mounted elongate members, and a wall attachment portion having a series of apertures adapted to receive a fastener for attaching the elongate member to the surface.
 2. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the base portion further comprises a base segment spaced from the opposing channels to permit the insertion of mounting hardware into an area defined by the base segment and the opposing channels.
 3. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the mounting hardware includes at least one of a peg, a bracket and a hanger.
 4. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the panel is wood.
 5. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the panel is laminate.
 6. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the panel is metal.
 7. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the panel is one of fiberboard and particleboard.
 8. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the elongate members are metal.
 9. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the base portion of the elongate member further comprises a radius configured for placement of a level device.
 10. The slotwall board system of claim 1, further comprising a trim channel mounted along a top edge of the display system.
 11. The slotwall board system of claim 9, wherein the trim channel is configured to receive a level device.
 12. The slotwall board system of claim 9, wherein the trim channel comprises a recess for placement of an adhesive material.
 13. The slotwall system of claim 9, wherein the trim channel is configured to receive mounting hardware.
 14. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the surface is a wall surface.
 15. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the surface is a support frame.
 16. The slotwall board system of claim 1, wherein the surface is nonplanar.
 17. A method of constructing a slotwall board system, the method comprising the steps of: mounting at least two elongate members to a surface at interval heights on a surface, wherein the configuration of each elongate member defines a base portion having a base segment and opposing channels, the base segment being spaced from the opposing channel to permit the insertion of mounting hardware into an area defined by the base segment and the opposing channels and the opposing channels being adapted for the insertion of a panel; inserting a panel into the opposing channels; and inserting mounting hardware into the area defined by the base segment and the opposing channels. 